12/20/2010 - Graduates of North Georgia Technical
College’s Commercial Truck Driving program were honored with a
family-style luncheon. The twelve students who completed
the ten-week tour of study included residents from across the
North Georgia area.
“This has been a tremendous quarter,” said Instructor Bruce Lane
as he prepared to distribute the license awards. “They
have all done wonderfully well on the road and yard backing, and
I am confident that they will make excellent drivers and be very
safe drivers as well.”
Vice President of Academic Affairs Rex Bishop took a moment to
address the students. “We are very proud of you and we
thank you for choosing to come here to this college.”
From Gilmer County, William Anderson received his certificate
and license.
From White County, William Cowardin of Cleveland received his
certificate and license
From Hall County, Roger Hewell of Gainesville and Michael Walker
of Lula each received his certificate and license.
From Blue Ridge, David Humphrey and Jeffrey Panter each received
his certificate and license.
From Barrow County, Steven Love of Winder received his
certificate and license.
From Stephens County, Dennis Staton received his certificate and
license.
From Rabun County, Marcus Thomas of Clayton received his
certificate and license.
From Habersham County, David Webb of Demorest and Christopher
Wilson of Alto each received his certificate and license.
Instructor’s Choice award for going above and beyond the call of
duty went to Michael Walker. “He exemplified teamwork and
was always there to help,” noted Lane. Walker, who very
humbly accepted the honor, said, “This has been the best ten
weeks of my life.”
Each quarter, the instructor bestows a Top Dog honor based on
grades and scholastic commitment. For this Fall, 2010
quarter, Billy Cowardin and Will Anderson both received the
award. “We appreciate all of y’all!” they both said
enthusiastically.
President Steve Dougherty also took a moment to address the
students. “We wish you all the best as you begin your new
career and we hope you will always feel welcome here at North
Georgia Technical College.”
For more information on the programs of study at North Georgia
Technical College, contact 706-754-7700 or visit
www.northgatech.edu.

15 TCSG Colleges on
List of Fastest-Growing Two-Year Colleges in the Nation

12/20/2010 - Atlanta - Enrollment at the 26 colleges
of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has grown at a
record pace over the last couple of years with the addition of
tens of thousands of out-of-work and under-employed Georgians
who are looking to learn new skills and retool for in-demand
careers in today’s highly competitive job market.
The surge in student enrollment has earned North Georgia
Technical College, along with fourteen other TCSG colleges, the
distinction of being among the fastest-growing public two-year
colleges in the nation.
“The exponential growth we have seen here at the college these
last few years has been great,” noted President Steve Dougherty.
“I have to give the credit to our outstanding faculty and staff
who have done a great job during tough times, and they always
focus first on our students.”
Community College Week Magazine, in its November 29, 2010 issue,
used U.S. Department of Education data to analyze enrollment
increases between fall 2008 and fall 2009 at 1,058 public
two-year colleges. The magazine then broke the rankings down
into four categories based on institutional size.
Eight TCSG colleges ranked among the two-year colleges serving
2,500 to 4,999 students, and that was twice as many as the next
state, North Carolina, which placed four colleges in the top 50.
Valdosta Technical College (which is now Wiregrass Georgia
Technical College) earned the honor as being the fastest-growing
college in the nation among colleges with enrollments of equal
size. Atlanta Technical College was third on that list, followed
by North Georgia Technical College (4th),
Albany Technical College (8th), Lanier Technical College (15th),
South Georgia Technical College (18th), Middle Georgia Technical
College (23rd) and DeKalb Technical College (47th).
There were also five TCSG colleges that were ranked on the list
of the 50 fastest-growing two-year colleges with enrollments of
between 5,000 and 9,999 students. Athens Technical College was
number eight, followed by Central Georgia Technical College
(9th), Griffin Technical College, which is now Southern Crescent
Technical College (10th), Gwinnett Technical College (11th) and
Savannah Technical College (22nd).
Among colleges with enrollments of less than 2,500 students, the
TCSG’s Sandersville Technical College was ranked as the
sixteenth fastest-growing two-year college, and Ogeechee
Technical College was twenty-third.
“It’s a strong statement that more than half of Georgia’s
technical colleges were ranked among the nation’s fastest
growing public two-year colleges. It reflects the
increasingly important role that the TCSG has in the futures of
nearly 200,000 Georgians who will attend our colleges this year
and the many more who will follow. Our TCSG colleges are
devoted to ensuring that their graduates are
equipped with the skills and knowledge that will make them a
vital part of our state’s 21st Century workforce,” said TCSG
Commissioner Ron Jackson.
Jackson added that cost and quality are reasons why the demand
for a TCSG education should remain strong. “The TCSG colleges
will continue to grow and serve record numbers of students of
every age, all taking advantage of affordable TCSG tuition, easy
access to our campuses and great instructors who open the doors
to a vast array of programs and world-class training. It’s
college that works,” he said.

12/14/2010 - The faculty and staff at North Georgia
Technical College are immersed in preparations for the Q2S
conversion – and fully focused in providing a successful
transition for their students.

"I have yet to come across a student who doesn't know about the
quarter to semester conversion," said Janet Henderson, medical
assisting instructor, North Georgia Technical College. "Even our
professional partners are aware of it and speak very positively
of it when I am out observing clinical sites."

"Janet has worked and re-worked the curriculum," said Dean of
Academic Affairs Kathie Ivester. "Then we sit down and tweak it
some more."

Henderson and Ivester agreed that the 15-week semester timeframe
will be a great opportunity for students participating in
advanced skills courses.

Ivester and Henderson were deep in discussion the Friday before
preregistration began. "We're looking at different strategies
for ensuring that students are able to meet with their advisor
during their regular school day, without having to schedule an
appointment at a time that is inconvenient," said Ivester. "It
is a time for students to see a projected plan for their program
completion."

The two were also putting the finishing touches on the altered
path for students starting in January. "We'll be starting a
group this winter instead of spring so that we can graduate a
group of students in the fall," explained Henderson. "Our health
industry looks for two sets of graduated students each year and
we want to make sure we fulfill their expectations."

"The semester transition will actually help smooth the way for
many of our students interested in continuing on to a four-year
degree," noted Ivester. Henderson agreed, "So many of our
Medical Assisting students gravitate towards nursing after they
prove to themselves that they can do this. Student advisement is
our time to really work with each one to ensure they are headed
towards their dream goals."

"It is all about the students and their successful transition,"
said Vice President of Academic Affairs Rex Bishop. "During the
next several months, our faculty has a lot of work to do, but we
all know the end result will be a tremendous benefit to our
students – our customers."

PBL and K-Mart
Team Up for Coats 4 Kids12/14/2010 - Warm holiday wishes aren’t just words of
North Georgia Technical College’s Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) club
members who have arranged a Coats4Kids drive at the Cornelia
K-Mart.
The collection box is located right next to the Customer Service
counter inside the store. It will be there throughout the
holiday season, and the coats will be distributed through the
DFACS departments in White, Habersham, and Rabun Counties.
“We are very happy to be working with the college on this
project,” said Store Manager Jojy Joseph. The K-Mart
Corporation recognizes that the members of communities are their
customers. “We are privileged to provide quality services,
products and solutions that earn your trust in effort to build
lifetime relationships.”
Frank Ball, Sr., an Accounting and CIS student at NGTC arranged
with Mr. Joseph for the logistics of the coat collection
program. Anyone who buys a children’s coat at K-Mart and
donates it to the Coats4Kids drive receives a gift card for 10%
off of their next purchase of regularly priced items in the
store.
“We’ve done coat drives before at the school, but this is the
first time we’ve done it out in a community venue,” said PBL
Advisor Tim Green.
For more information on the Coats4Kids coat drive, contact Tim
Green at 706-754-7824 or
tgreen@northgatech.edu.

Caitlyn
Ayres (center) with her NGTC
Instructors Ruth King and Robert
Knighton.

Local Student
Employs Entrepreneur Training12/14/2010 -
Habersham Sunrise Rotary members were treated to a special guest
speaker today who exemplified the application of college studies
to real life. Caitlin Ayers is an entrepreneur and a North
Georgia Technical College student from Toccoa, Georgia. In July
of 2010, Caitlin became an entrepreneur when she started her own
business, Purple Butterfly Pages, a new books seller.
A poised young lady, she held her audience with a quiet yet
confident explanation of how she had turned her education and
dreams into a viable sole proprietor business. Caitlin’s
breadth of experience includes being homeschooled in a family
with 10 children, interning with the Toccoa-Stephens County
Chamber of Commerce, and juggling self employment and full-time
college studies.
“I chose the website venue for my company specifically,” she
explained, indicating a clear and logical business approach to
launching her enterprise. “It gave me the flexibility of
allowing my customers the ability to shop at anytime while
allowing me to schedule speaking engagements and other promotion
opportunities.
Ayers has indeed designed an impressive marketing strategy that
mixes the personal touch with the wide availability of the
Internet. She has arranged a variety of public appearances
including speaking engagements, book signings, and booths at
local festivals. “Each book that we sell is personally
autographed by the author,” she explained.
Caitlin has also learned well the concept of process
improvement. “We are always asking for feedback from our
customers,” she said. She then gave an example of how a
customer complaint on a delivery prompted a redesign of her
packaging process, resulting in a more attractive shipping
parcel that was also less expensive. “We also offer gift
wrapping and delivery directly to the gift receiver with a card
at no additional cost.”
Even with her current remarkable achievements, Caitlin Ayers has
a bigger picture in mind. “I plan to become a publisher
one day,” she stated. “I have learned a lot these last few
months, and I’m ready to expand further.”
Ms. Ayers concluded her presentation and then fielded a variety
of questions from the Rotarians, including how she came up with
the name of her company. “It is simple, really – I love
purple, I love butterflies, and we’re selling pages.”
The Purple Butterfly Pages website (www.purplebutterflypages.com)
is currently featuring new author Stephanie Townsend Ayers and
her Trade Paperback published book “Alexandra: A Williams
Family Journal.”

Automotive
Students Get Tools from Scholarship12/14/2010 -
Christmas came early for two North Georgia Technical College
transportation students who recently received equipment
scholarships from the Northeast Georgia Antique Auto Region Car
Club.
Chosen from over 60 students in the NGTC Automotive programs,
Joshua Dodd of Baldwin and Brandon Johnson of Cleveland each
received a $500 Sears gift card to be used for equipment in
their chosen future profession. As an added bonus, Sears
contributed an additional $50, and the students were able to
take advantage of great pricing during holiday sales.
Dodd, an automotive technology student, found a Top & Bottom
Tool Box that will serve him well into the future while Johnson,
an automotive collision student, was very excited about his
3000RPM electric impact driver. Both also got large tool
sets and assorted wrenches and other necessary equipment.
“The competition for these scholarships was tough,” noted
Automotive Instructor Stoney Farmer. “We chose these two
students, one from Auto Tech and one from Auto Collision,
because they stand out from the rest.” Farmer listed a
variety of attributes including grades, commitment to the
program, work ethics, skills, and attitude.
“In addition to the reward to these students, the College
receives an $1100 credit towards the State Tech Match program
through the NGTC Foundation to spend on new equipment,”
explained Director of Institutional Advancement Cynthia Brown.
“We work hard to leverage every penny we get to enhance our
students’ learning environments.”
For more information on the transportation programs or to make a
donation to the Foundation, call 706-754-7700 or visit
www.northgatech.edu.

(L-R) Scott Norris familiarizes
himself with the functions of
the iPad while NGTC Librarian
Christina Teasley looks on.

GALILEO Survey
Entry Wins iPad for NGTC Student

12/14/2010 - How many times have you heard it:
“I’ve never won anything before!” Those were the exact
words of Scott Norris when he was notified that he had won an
iPad simply for completing a questionnaire on Georgia’s premier
student search engine, GALILEO.
GALILEO, an acronym for GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online, is a
familiar resource to public library users and students at all
education levels throughout the state. Recently, GALILEO
launched a satisfaction survey and offered the chance to win a
coveted new iPad as an incentive. North Georgia Technical
College Computer Information Systems (CIS) student Scott Norris
was one of over 5000 participants who took the time to answer
the questions and was richly rewarded for his efforts.
“This is going to be so cool,” he said as he previewed the
functions of the electronic device at the NGTC Clarkesville
Campus Library. “The response time on the touch screen is
amazing!” The Student Leadership Council at NGTC purchased
three iPads for the library last summer so that students and
faculty could take advantage of the new technology while on
campus.
Norris, a resident of Demorest, said that he made good use of
GALILEO during high school and as a new college student, knows
that he will once again mine the depths of information the
database has to offer. “I’ve always been interested in
computers,” he said, explaining his brief experience with retail
and manufacturing positions. “This is going to be great
fun to use!”
GALILEO is accessible to all of Georgia’s citizens with a school
ID or public library card. For more information on GALILEO,
visit
http://about.galileo.usg.edu or your local library.

Left to Right: Steve Dougherty,
Jennifer Holbrooks, Shelby Ward

2010 EAGLE
Winners Honored

12/6/2010 - Six North Georgia Technical College adult
education students were honored as Exceptional Adult Georgian in
Literacy Education (EAGLE) winners. Students who have
demonstrated superior achievement in adult education programs
are nominated by their instructors for this tribute.
These six excellent students were selected to compete for the
honor of being the NGTC delegate to the EAGLE Leadership
Institute which will be held February 9-11, 2011, in Atlanta.
Irene Ensley of Blue Ridge, Gail Foster of Alto, Jennifer
Holbrooks of Demorest, Genet Michael of Clarkesville, Linda
Taylor of Lakemont, and Justin Teate of Lavonia each had a turn
interviewing with four judges, answering ten questions regarding
their studies, progress, hopes and dreams.
“We are all so proud of each of you here,” smiled a proud Dr.
Barbara Melichar, NGTC Director of Adult Education, to the
contestants. “Your classmates all know you will represent them
well.”
Philippine native Irene Ensley, who was nominated by Donna Earl,
plans to use her newfound self confidence as she pursues a
career as a chef. Gail Foster of Alto, nominated by her
instructor Sandra Adair, plans to enroll in college to become a
nurse. Justin Teate was nominated by his instructor Jackie
Reeder and his plans upon completing his GED program are to
enroll in college classes in the Computer Information Systems
program. Carolyn Simons nominated Linda Taylor who has
enjoyed the added quality of studying with her grandchildren and
hopes to study to be a nurse. Ethiopian native Genet Michael
was nominated by John Shiohira; she has made great strides in
learning the language here and plans to be an English teacher.
Jennifer Holbrooks, nominated by her instructor Shelby Ward, was
chosen to be NGTC’s delegate to the 2011 conference.
Jennifer is now enrolled in post secondary education in the
field of Medical Assisting. However, she is the most proud
of her accomplishment as a good mother to Kaden. Jennifer is
quick to attribute her success to Kaden and fiancé Wesley Wilson
for believing in her the entire way. “Wesley is the most
wonderful man in the world,” said Holbrooks. “And I can’t
thank Shelby Ward enough for nominating me and putting up with
my questions and late night e-mails.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to serve you as you reach for
your goals,” said NGTC President Steve Dougherty. “I hope
you will consider continuing your career studies here at the
college.”
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) through its
Office of Adult Education sponsors the annual EAGLE Leadership
Institute each year. The program is designed to create
greater awareness of educational opportunities that are
available in local communities and to foster greater involvement
in lifelong learning. It is the only recognition program
of this type in the United States.
For more information on the Adult Learning programs of study at
NGTC, please contact 706-754-7717 or visit the website at
www.northgatech.edu.

NGTC representatives from the
Commercial Photography
Department got an up close and
personal look at the Georgia
Turtle Rehabilitation Center.

Seeing Sea
Turtles Through a Different Lens

12/6/2010 - Over the recent break between Summer and
Fall Quarters, students from the North Georgia Technical College
Commercial Photography program were invited to document the work
of the Georgia Turtle Rehabilitation Center on Jekyll Island.
The photographs taken by the students will be used for
publications and advertisements during the year thus giving them
professional exposure.
Whitney Hill of Mt. Airy, Kenslei Krippner of Clarkesville,
Richard Hayes of Cleveland, Joshua Lovell of Tiger, and Lori
Nichols of Young Harris were among those who took advantage of
this learning opportunity accompanied by instructors Jim Loring
and Ginger Moseley.
The Georgia Turtle Rehabilitation Center staff primarily
consists of volunteers from Americorp but does have some
intermittently paid positions. “We spent a day with them
as they diagnosed and rehabilitated turtles,” explained Moseley.
One turtle, named Al, had lost its ability to dive and was
constantly buoyant. If a sea turtle cannot dive, they are
unable to get food. The team had been working with Al for over a
year and are planning on releasing him this spring when the
water warms up.
“Sea turtles are incredible creatures,” noted Loring. “It
is always special when we make a connection, and Al was really
watching our every move.” Sea turtles leave their nests as
infants and swim across the oceans for up to thirty years before
returning to within five miles of the beach from which they
hatched to lay a new batch of eggs.
Another turtle with an unusual pattern on its carapace had been
named Sunburst. Sunburst had been struck by a boat
propeller which mangled part of his shell and after much healing
is now getting close to being released.
The center, which opened its doors in June of 2007, had over
fifteen sea turtles that were undergoing various treatments.
A majority of the turtles are found stranded off the Georgia
coast. Most, like Freedom, who was found in July of this year,
are treated and released.
“It was an incredible experience for our students,” said fellow
instructor Jeff Gulle. “Not only did they have the
opportunity to submit work for professional use, but it was an
extraordinary experience for all of us. We are looking
forward to being invited back the next time they release into
the wild.”
Selected photos may be viewed on NGTC’s Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/ngtcnews.
For more information on the Commercial Photography program of
study at NGTC, contact Jim Loring (jloring@northatech.edu)
or Jeff Gulle (jgulle@northgatech.edu)
or call 706-754-7700

.

Cooking Up
Cheers for Children

12/6/2010 - As a longstanding member of the American
Culinary Federation (AFC) Greater Atlanta Chapter, David Drake
finds great opportunities for his Culinary Arts students at
North Georgia Technical College to participate in a variety of
professional skill-building events.
In early November, Drake involved several of his students in the
annual Cheer for Children Ball at the Atlanta History Center.
The event entitled “Imagine a World Without Child Abuse” was a
rousing success raising $145,000 for the cause.
From tasty polenta to s’mores, the attendees were treated to
fabulous gourmet delights. A spirited live auction followed
featuring a Costa Rican adventure, a trip to Oregon Wine County,
a dinner featuring Jamie Adams of Veni Vidi Vici, and much more.
In the end, the real winners were the children that will benefit
from the funds collected.
NGTC students that travelled to Atlanta to work this banquet
included Alexandria Merchant of Blairsville, Richard Turner of
Blue Ridge, and Travis Kimsey from Farner, Tennessee.
For more information on Cheer for Children, visit
www.cheerforchildren.info. For more information on the
Culinary Arts program at NGTC, contact David Drake at
ddrake@northgatech.edu
or 706-439-6300.